EC directs excise officials to act judiciously while closing alcohol outlets in the state

Bengaluru: The Election Commission has guided the excise department authorities to deal with cases prudently and cautiously before suspending licenses of alcohol outlets. 

The wine merchant’s federation has asked the officials to deny suspended licenses within the next three days. The Excise Department authorities have issued orders for closing down 750 alcohol outlets. 

Since April 1, the department has suspended around 750 licenses on different charges, including offer of free alcohol and infringement of timings. “We have illuminated to the departments authorities that violation of code of conduct would be the utilization of alcohol as incitements to voters. Law likewise must be practiced while enabling legal business to go on,” Chief Electoral Officer Sanjiv Kumar said.

His reaction came after a delegation of the Federation of Wine Merchant’s Association – Karnataka met election commission authorities, Finance Secretary I.S.N. Prasad and Excise Commissioner Munish Moudgil, encouraging the officials to enable them to close shop till the election procedure is finished.